SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Making the daily commute a little more bearable is the goal for many Angelenos. Danny Bronstein leaves work, puts on his helmet, and is ready to get home.

“The commute from Santa Clarita, even in the morning, is miserable. The way back is miserable and so tiring,” said Bronstein.

He travels from Santa Clarita to Santa Monica and back every day, taking his personal e-scooter, busses, and trains rather than driving the 90 minutes.

RELATED l Bird’s Head of Sustainability Wants to Transform America’s Streets

“I get to sit back and relax and watch a movie and read a book so I’m not so tired when I get to work and not so tired when I get home,” said Bronstein.

Bronstein loves the e-scooter. He says it is more convenient than taking a bike. The National Association of City Transportation Officials says that e-scooters actually overtook bikes as the preferred vehicle for dock less vendors in 2018. 

“You can just fold it up and take it on the bus with you,” said Bronstein.

He started riding them a few years ago when the scooter shares took over the city. Then, last year, ended up purchasing his own because it would be cheaper over time. He also says having the engine allows you to move quicker and it takes less energy.

“You don’t get as tired as riding a bike,” said Bronstein.

Bronstein is not alone in his e-scooter use.  In 2018, 38.5 million trips were taken on shared e-scooters in the U.S. with no trips taken in 2017, according to NATCO. Bronstein says this could be due to the amount of traffic in major cities.

“I think people are trying to not use cars,” said Bronstein.

With more people out of their cars and on the streets, injuries are rising. According to a University of California, San Francisco study, the number of scooter-related injuries and hospital admissions in the United States grew by 222 percent between 2014 and 2018. Bronstein says this is due to pot holes, cracked sidewalks, and being close to cars.

“Drivers don’t see you when you are sharing the road with them,” said Bronstein.

But this won’t stop him. He stays as safe as possible as he continues his commute by taking bike lanes and using reflective tape. 

As he gets on the train to finish the first half of his lengthy trip, he feels relaxed knowing he won’t have to drive his car in the busy LA streets.